After crushing my picks last week with a 13-1 straight up mark and an 11-3 record against the spread, I was due a mighty fall and, wouldn’t you know it, Jon Gruden was there to make it happen. As a prelude to the Friday Afternoon Quarterback, I make the Thursday Night Football pick on Facebook and Twitter. I looked at the matchup between the Oakland Raiders, a team that, in spite of Gruden’s best efforts, still has talent and the San Francisco 49ers, a team that entered TNF -13 in turnover margin and was starting Nick Mullens, their No. 3 quarterback.
It seemed like an easy call.
It's Nick Mullens' world and we're just living in it. It's why I'm picking the Raiders tonight without reservation. Raiders 24, 49ers 9 #OAKvsSF
— Adam Greene (@TheFirstMan) November 1, 2018
Only Jon Gruden was having none of it and promptly led his team, with a $25 million starting quarterback in Derek Carr, to a 34-3 defeat to a team starting a guy who was working the oven at a Quiznos two weeks ago. Maybe Jay is the smart brother after all…
Makes sense.. pic.twitter.com/0PvyNnXbZn
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 2, 2018
Regardless, we’re not letting either Gruden ruin our picks. Here’s the rest of the selections in your Friday Afternoon Quarterback for Week 9 of the NFL season.
Byes: Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday
Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (+9.5, O/U: 23.5)
I have a question and I’m not sure who to ask it to. How has this spread remained under double digits since the announcement that Nathan Peterman will be starting for Buffalo? Bears 30, Bills 9
Related: NFL Betting Guide
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-3, O/U: 43.5)
It’s time for another classic Sam Darnold vs Brock Osweiler quarterback duel. Set your DVRs. Dolphins 24, Jets 17
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-5.5, O/U: 49.5)
At a press conference this week Matt Patricia chastised a reporter for his posture while he was asking a question. That’s right, Matt Patricia. The guy who always looks like he just closed down a Jackrabbit’s restroom. Vikings 34, Lions 20
Matt Patricia is like a hot dog eating contest champion who tells you to chew with your mouth closed pic.twitter.com/80vM8RHepH
— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) November 1, 2018
Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins (-2, O/U: 48.5)
If Dan Quinn can’t come up with a gameplan to beat a Jay Gruden-coached team in two weeks, he should be fired Monday morning. Falcons 38, Redskins 24
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-3, O/U: 47.5)
I still don’t know anything about this Ravens team, but here’s what I do know. For some reason, they always beat the Steelers, especially at home. The books know it too. Ravens 23, Steelers 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (-6, O/U: 55)
I’ve got Fitzpatrick Fever and so will the Buccaneers come Sunday. What are the symptoms? About four interceptions and a hefty population of beard lice. Panthers 27, Buccaneers 20
#Buccaneers Ryan Fitzpatrick does it all folks. Like trying to blow a field goal attempt off the mark from the sideline. 😂 pic.twitter.com/rYjTSOGIgy
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 28, 2018
Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns (+8, O/U: 51.5)
Gregg Williams just keeps turning down job offers, many of them with contract offers on the table without interviews. And we’re talking elite franchises. Like Advocare, Herbalife and Amway. Chiefs 40, Browns 17
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos (-1, O/U: 46)
Thanks to a garbage AFC South once again, not only will Bill O’Brien keep his job, his team is about to win six games in a row. Texans 24, Broncos 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks (-1.5, O/U: 48.5)
If the Chargers are real contenders, this is exactly the kind of game they should win. So they won’t. Let the inevitable slide to .500 begin. Seahawks 23, Chargers 20
Amazing how #Seahawks OL went from league worst to competent at worst with dominant run blocking after dismissing Tom Cable while #Raiders went from elite OL to unreliable & often liablity after hiring Tom Cable as OL coach.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) November 2, 2018
Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (+1, O/U: 59.5)
Here’s a fun fact; according to Next Gen Stats, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is double-teamed 70 percent of the time, more than 24 percent more than the next guy on the list, Houston’s J.J. Watt. Donald still leads the league in sacks with 10. For some reason I don’t think Drew Brees views that fact as fun as I do. Rams 38, Saints 34
Sunday Night
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (-5, O/U: 56.5)
It’s Aaron Rodgers vs Tom Brady, so that’s outstanding. It’s also Mike McCarthy vs Bill Belichick and that’s significantly less entertaining. Patriots 27, Packers 24
Monday Night
Tennessee Titans at Dallas Cowboys (-5, O/U: 41)
I know Monday Night Football can’t flex out of these games, but I have a feeling plenty of viewers might just flex out of watching it. Cowboys 27, Titans 13
Yearly reminder that Jason Garrett is Jeff Fisher.
Getting rid of Jeff Fisher unlocked it all for the Rams. Unlock it Cowboys. I'm begging you.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@JC1053) October 30, 2018
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 13-1
Against the spread: 11-3
Season
Straight up: 68-51-2
Against the spread: 61-60
